Clayton Kershaw isn’t quite ready to hang up the glove just yet - at least not when it comes to representing his country.
The longtime Dodgers ace, who stepped away from Major League Baseball, is making a return to the mound for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. And while this won’t be a full-fledged comeback tour, it’s a chance for one of the game’s all-time greats to take the ball again - this time on the international stage.
Now, let’s be clear: this isn’t about Kershaw reclaiming his Cy Young form or taking over high-leverage innings. It’s about leadership, legacy, and one more ride in the red, white, and blue.
Of course, the possibility of Kershaw facing his former Dodgers teammate, Shohei Ohtani - the face of Team Japan and the reigning WBC champions - is the kind of baseball theater that writes itself. But Kershaw? He’s not exactly campaigning for that matchup.
“I think something will have gone terribly wrong if I have to pitch against Team Japan in the finals or something,” Kershaw joked during a recent appearance on MLB Network. “I think we’ve got plenty of guys to get that guy out. Not me.”
Classic Kershaw - humble, self-aware, and still very much in tune with where he stands in the game today. He knows his role.
He’s not here to be the ace of the staff. He’s here to contribute in smaller moments and, just as importantly, to offer wisdom to a younger generation of arms.
And make no mistake: this Team USA pitching staff is stacked. From top to bottom, it’s a group built to compete with the best in the world. Kershaw’s presence adds experience and perspective - a veteran voice in the clubhouse who’s seen it all, done it all, and still has something to give, even if it’s not in the ninth inning of a title game.
With just a few roster spots left - one outfielder, one catcher, and one pitcher - the final touches are being put on what looks like a serious contender. And while Kershaw may not be the centerpiece, his inclusion is a nod to what he’s meant to the game and what he can still offer in a different capacity.
So no, we probably won’t see Kershaw toeing the rubber against Ohtani in a winner-take-all finale. But seeing him back in uniform, competing for Team USA, feels like the perfect encore. One more chance to appreciate a future Hall of Famer doing what he loves, on a stage that celebrates the best the sport has to offer.